Apparatus for preparing solutions



Nov. 27, 1951 E. swARTz APPARATUS FOR PREPARING SOLUTIONS Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 20, 1948 Nov. 27, 1951 E. swARTz APPARATUS FOR PREPARING soLuTIoNs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1948 Nov. 27, 1951 E SWARTZ 2,576,315

APPARATUSV FOR PREPARING SOLUTIONS Filed Jan. 20, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. SWARTZ v APPARATUS FOR PREPARING SOLUTIONS Nov. 27, 1951 '5 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Jan. 20, 1948 O O O O wqvwwwm,

,mmf d @warg Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT n oFFlc-E`j-f 2,576,315 I' v f APPARATUS Fon PREPARmGsoLUTIoNs Edward Swartz, Belmont, Mass. A t Application January zo, 194s, serial N9. 3,297-Y 1 claim. (o1. 23-272) perature, and the like, to promote and to complete the solvent action.

In some instances, however, and especially where large volumes of solutions are required, which may be of the same or different concentrations from time to time, such procedures and apparatus are not convenient and in manyirespects may be quite inadequate.

In operations where solutions of different concentration are frequently required` it is desirable y to obtain them without resorting to diierent procedures or providing separate dissolving tanks for each' concentration of solution that may be needed.

rBy the present invention solutions may be prepared of a wide range of predetermined concentrations, from a single source of solid matterv to be dissolved and a single source of solvent, and the concentration of the solution produced may be rapidly adjusted, according tothe quantity or concentration oi solution required.

It is found that by contacting any given solid to be dissolved with a continuous stream of a solvent thereof, for sufcient time and in suitable proportions, a preliminary solution of the solid may be produced, of a predetermined controlled concentration, (preferably substantially saturated, but which may be less than saturated, or` re-adjusted from time to time. if desired). and that by introducing a stream of freshsolvent into the concentrated .solution thus prepared, and controlling the relative volumes or rates ofthe solution formed and of the solvent stream, a con-y tinuous supply of an ultimate solution of any desired concentration may be obtained. Moreover, such concentration willl be constant, as effected and maintained, and yet may be varied at will.

It is found that by providing a suflicient mass of soluble solid matter, which is open and presents an adequate or excessive surface area, a continuous stream of a solvent liquid maybe passed therethrough and, if the rate of iiow of the solvent does not exceed the rate of solubility of the solid, the resultant stream o! solution will adjusted ratio. f

be substantially a saturated solution with respect to the solid. l In -such case, itsconcentration presents a constant and absolute value. Consequently the eiuent stream of solution maybe mixed with a stream of solvent to producer an .ultimate solution of any concentration, corresponding to the ratio of the volume of the stream of solution to the volume of the stream of solvent. I

The mixing of a stream of a solution of a solid having a concentration up to and including sat.-

-uration and a stream of the solvent may be effected rapidly, continuously and completely, .resulting in a uniform, vhomogeneous solution of any desired lower concentration, and such-concentration maintainedA constant as long as-dee sired. By changing and controlling the -ratio of the volumes of such streams of solution and of solvent, the concentration of the resultant stream of the ultimate solution produced may be likewise. changed and controlled, and determined, and thereafter maintained constant atvsuch re- The invention will be described with reference to its application for the preparation of large volumes of solutions of readily soluble salts, suchas of common salt in water, together with apparatus suitable for this purpose. A representative example of such apparatus is illustrated inthe ac' companying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with'parts broke away, of a dissolving tank and attachments for the control of the introduction of the salt and for the control of the introduction of Water, as the solvent; Y Fig. 2 is a plan view of the dissolving tank and appurtenant attachments shown-in Fig. 1;' Fig. 3 is a detail view of the valve and itsfcon-.f nections, as shown at the right of Fig. 1, at rightY angles thereto;

Fig; `i isan enlarged top view of the valve, perA se, as shownin Fig. 3;- i

Fig. 5 is a cross-'sectional view of a the valve in the plane of 5 5 of Fig. 4;'

Fig. 6 is across-sectional view ofthe valve housings, showing the whole valve, and -including the valve handle and dial, in the plane 6 -6' of Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail crossfsection of a portion of the valve, as shown in Fig. 6, but

showing vthe valve stem raised by one-quarterv turn;

portionY of corresponding generally to the valve arrangement shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a view of the two to the two valves shown in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a chart showingthe settings ofthe' dials, corresponding tom of the tank and having perforations- 23 therein (Figs. 1 and 2) directed downwardly against the bottom 8 of the dissolving tank l. The total cross-sectional area of the periorations 23 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the coil 22, the water pipe line 2| leading thereto, or the main pipe line 9. For example, with half-inch pipe, perforations 23 in coil 22, .may Vary from .,af diameter at ,theinlet to in diameter at the extreme opposite end of coil 22 and their total areas shall equal or exceed the total cross-section of the half-inch pipe.

The other outlet 24 from the valve I1 (Figs. 2, '3 ande). Aleads the other stream of water through the Apille 25..into the upper portion of the dissolvingtank'through the coil 26 which is provided :with .periorations 21, as shown in Fig. l.

valves with reference to a 360 turn of the valve stems of the modification shown in Figs. 10 and" l1, and the corresponding now of water through the lower coil, through the top coil, and thetotal flow lof resulting Vbrine solution inr gallons per hour against'- a corresponding scale of salinity of the ultimate solution; as indicated directly upon thedi'als of the valve in percentages, V0-l00%.

In carrying out the process of the invention in `the apparatus illustrated, theysalt in granular form is charged into a dissolving ytank l through the central cylindrical hopper 2 which is suplevel 5, a continuous supply may be furnished through the hopper 2 from a bin above (not shown) by continuous flow under gravity. If a'lower level is had, as 'indicated at 6, the sale may be automaticallyY supplied in continuous amount'sor in successive batches. lower level of salt may be provided," for any reason, as at 1. In the latter case, howevenga minimum depth of salt bed must be maintained at` all timesi'above thebottom 8 of the dissolving tank, for lreasons which will become man i- Y fest from the followingodisclosure. y Referring to Fig. 1, a continuoussupply of water is provided', as through the water main 9;'controlled by valve l0 and` passing through a Likewise, a

These perforations 21 likewise should present a total cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the cross-section of the coil l2li, pipe 25 :orl main water line 9, 'andfshouldalso increase* ingtheir cross-sectional areas, Y' from 'the inlet portion 'of coil 26`to thev extreme opposite end of coil 26, to equalize viiow therethrough 'on all portions of the coil. A o l The outer housing i8 of Vvalve Il is provided with anl inner housing l28 which is generallycylin'- drical in shape, having a hollow `central portion 29, and closed by the top 3U which is screwj threaded into the upper' portion of the outer housingls. j

Mounted longitudinally of andwithin'the inner housing 28 is ,provided the valve represented generally by the numeral 3l having a handle-.32 at its outer end-'and a valve stern screwthreadfed at'l33 in the upper" portionof the` housing 28 and provided'with aivalvef34/ at its lowerrex'- tremity andl afvalvemembe'r A'3,5' intermediate thereof.' l.

The controll'edwater supply to the apparatus, therefore, under .a lconstant head,'is delivered into the inlet I9 of valve. nlLpasses Vthroughthe space 36 between'the housing I8` andthe inner housing 28, as shown in Figs.. 5, ,6 and7,"and thence throughlthe openings ,'31 through ,the inner housing'Ziinto the lov/'er,portion29a ofthe space 2.* 3 betweenfthe outer-housing `l8 .andthe innerhousing 2A8 'I`,hii-:f lower space 29a within A the housing' 2 8 is separated from the upper porpressurev regulator ll, thereby to assure apredetermined head or water pressure of the'ni'ain supplyl lineidelivered to the apparatus, as indicated byk thel pressure valve i2.' This main supply flows` thence through the pipe 13' controlled by a'positive shut-off valve M vand through a positive but automatically controlled shut-off valve f5vr and 'coupling |6 to the control valve I7 as more specifically illustrated in Fig. 8." i

'-Referringt'o: Figs. '4 andi 5 which show the valve l1 in greater detail", it will be observed that the'valveV comprises an outer housing I8 having aninlet I9 thereto adapted to receive the main water supply as delivered to the apparatus;

The valve I1 is devised and constructed to divide theA main stream of water' supplied thereto into two streams, one of which passes-through the outlet. 20 shown in Figui and through the pipe 2l as shown in Figs. V1 and 3, to the bottom portion ot thedissolving tank I throughthe perforated oon amounted in the bottom poel tion of the dissolving tank slightly above the :bot-

tion 23b of thjespace ZSjby the inwardlyprojecting shoulderjportion of the inner housing 28A and the valve member 35 which seats thereagainst. Thel lower!Y end of' the area, 29a opens outwardly? ,through the. central aperture 39.the margin 4lll of whichconstitutes a valve seat for the Vvalve 34 providedon the lower end (as shown in Figg) of the valvestein 3|. VThis openingleads into the space 4I inthe lower por-- 24 ofthevalvel'l. ,y

The upper portionZSb. of the space 2.9 as above described Vis. 'separated from .thelower .portion 2.9% by the seating of the Vvalveii against the shoultion of the housing i8 and thence to the4 outlet der 38v except, however,. iorthe recess 42 (as its maximumfposition when valve 34. is closed against valve seat vlill.

The chamberV 291:opens.through*apertures-.dit`

passing s through the4 inner. housing 28 1 into ythe chamber d@ between the inner housing 28 and the youter housing I8. l in turn to the outlet 20 o'f kthe valve I1 above mentioned; f A s The valve stem 3I isprovided with a pointer 45 which, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, swings over thedial 46 upon rotation of the handle-32. This dial is divided and calibrated to indicate the concentration of solution delivered in accordance with its corresponding settings in terms of percentage of saturation of the resulting solution.

After charging thev dissolving tank with salt, as above described, the pressure control device II will be set to deliver the main ysupply of water from the pipe 9 at the pressure as indicated by the gauge I2 (e. g. 20 pounds per square inch, with a supply line). The valve I0 will then be open. The valve I4 and the valve I5` will then be opened, the function and operation of which will be described below. y'

The valve I1 will then be opened by the handle 32 to a position as indicated by the pointer 45 on dial 46 corresponding to the percentage of saturation or salinity of the solution to be prepared. In so doing the lower valve 34'will be raised from its valve seat 40 a definite distance and the recess 42 in the valve 35 will be raised a corresponding distance with respect to the shoulder 33. These movements will be respectively in a direction of opening theaperture .from the chamber 29a into the chamber 4I'and thence to the outlet 24 and closing the opening from the top of chamber 29a through the recess or bypass 42 into the upper chamber 29b and thence through the chamber 44 to the outlet 29.

In other words, with the valve turned down into its lowermost position, the bottom valve 34 will be closed and all of the water which is directed into chamber 29a will flow through the bypass recess 42 through the youtlet'ZIJ and thence through pipe 2I to the bottom of the dissolving tank. Uponpa'ssing out through the :perforated coil 22 and into the bottom of the dissolving tank and thence upwardly through the charge of granular salt therein, this water supply will dissolve and become saturated with thesaltand accumulate above the salt bed to a level as indicated at 41 from which it may overflow through the loutlet pipe 48 and thence through the outlet pipe 49 to a reservoir or to the point of consumption. Under these conditions the depth of the salt bed must be such that the volume and rate of flow of water from the main 9 through valve I1 and out through the outlet 20 will produce a supernatant, saturated solution above the salt bed in dissolving tank I. A depth of about 3 inches (or more) of salt is usually suicient under conditions similar to those described above.

Ii from this position, however, the valve handle 32 is turned to raise the valve stem 3I and hence the valve or bib 34 from the valve seat 40, water will be permitted to pass from the chamber 29ab downwardly into the chamber 4I and thence through the outlet 24 to the pipe line 25 and coil 25, and thence through the perforations 21 into the upper portion 'of the dissolving tank I and below the surface 41 of the saturated solution of brine formed therein. This introduction of water directly into the brine solution is eiective to mingle with it promptly and completely so that upon overflowing through the pipe 48 and through the pipe 49 to the point of use, the resulting ultimate solution will have a concentration which is reduced proportionately to the valve setting and the resultant streams of a x saturated brine and pure water which' are thus mixed. r

At the same time the upward movement of the valve stem 3I raises the :valve 35 and the recess 42 therein so as to proportionately close the bypass from the chamberia through the recess and into the upper chamber 29b and hence tov reduce the flow of water through the opening 43 into the chamber 44 and thence to the outlet 20 and pipe 2I leading to the bottom portion of the dissolving tank I.

The result of thus reducing the ow of water to the bottom ofthe dissolving tank and introducing or increasing the i'low of 'water to the upper part of the tank will' determine the proportions of saturated solution and of water which` are'comingled in the upper portion of the dissolving tank immediately before it is drawn off for use. The resulting concentrations of the brine solutions produced may therefore be positively calibrated and are, as representedV by the dial shown in Fig. 9, in terms of percentage of saturation Aor salinity. f Y

As a matter of precaution against possible overiiowing of the tank in case the brine is not being used as fast as made, or for any other reason, the automatic control valve I5 may be actuated by providing a plug 50 mounted at a suitable level in the upper portionrof the dissolving tank I and having poles 5I and 52 projecting into the tank. With this arrangement, if the level of the brine solution should rise sufiiciently so as to make contact between the poles 5I and 52, such contact would be effective to operate the solenoid 53, thereby to close the'valve I5 and shut oi the main supply of water to the apparatus.

As a further precaution against overflow, as in case of interference with electric current to opcrate the solenoid 53, an overiiow syphon 54 may be provided in the outlet pipe 48 rising to a higher level than the poles "5I and 52 and discharging into the vertical outlet pipe 55 to the drain 5E. The latter may also be connected to the bottom of the dissolving tank I through the valve 51 and the drain or sump 59 mounted in the bottom 8 of the dissolving tank for cleaning purposes.

As pointed out above, it is convenient to con-l duct the process and operate the apparatus upon the basis of a supply of water to the bottom of the dissolving tank such that upon passing through the bed of salt it dissolves the salt suLlciently to form a saturated solution whatever adjustment of the valve may be employed. However, it is to be understood that a solution of lesser concentration than saturated may be produced by the stream of water introduced into the bottom of the dissolving tank and the resulting stream of salt solution coming up through the salt bed into the upper portion of the tank I, may be diluted by a proportionate amount of water mingled therewith at the top of the dissolving tank, to form a still more dilute solution, if such adjustment is desired.

In fact, instead of a single control valve I1,

two independent control valves may be mounted in its stead, as indicated in Fig. 10. In this figure,

- like numerals indicate corresponding parts as illustrated in Fig. 3, but instead of the valve I 1 the main water supply line, at the union I5, is provided with a T-connection 59, one arm of which leads through the pipe 6D to the valve 6I and thence into the pipe 2I leading to the bottom of the dissolving tank I and the other arm leading through pipe 62 to valve 63 and thence through pipe 25 in the upper portionof thel dissolving tank I.

Withthis arrangement the valves 6l and 63 may be any form of simple direct valve with pointers 64 and 65 respectively mounted on the stems thereof and above dials 66 and 6l respectively, likewise vcalibrated in terms of rates of flow or percentage of salinity of the solution to be prepared.

The operation of this modification of the method and apparatus ofthe invention will be clear when it is considered that a given supply of Water is provided and is proportionately diverted below and above the bed of salt in the dissolving tank l and that the resulting stream of salt solution and of fresh water respectively are co-mingled in the upper portion of the dissolving tank and before being withdrawn therefrom in proportions as determined by the setting of the valves. Thus, as indicated in Fig. l1, if the valves SI and 63 are set at 6D and 60, the resulting salinity of the solution prepared in the top of the dissolving tank run oi .through the pipe 48 will be60% of the saturated solution.

In changing the operation of the method and apparatus from the production of a brine solution of one concentration to the production of a brine solution of a dilerent concentrationV there will bea slight lag owing to the volume of supernatant brine solution contained above the salt bed in the top of the dissolving tank l. After adjustment of the valve, this residual amount of brine solution will necessarily be carried out through the overflow pipe 48 to either spill or be sent to the point of use as desired. However, the amount of this residual solution of the previous concentration may be reduced by mounting the upper coil 26 closely beneath the top surface 4l of the brine because the mixing of the fresh Water and of the brine solution will take place quickly and completely in a small volume and such residual solution of the previous adjustment is limited to that contained in the tank above Salt level or the coil 26 and between it and the survface -41 leading to the outlet 48. It will be seen, therefore, that by the present method and apparatus a constant supply. of solution may be prepared of predetermined and dependable concentration in continuous large volumes and yet may be changed promptly and 'at will from one concentration :to another by suitable settings accordingly of a single valve or of two separate independent valves by which to determine the volume of concentrated or saturated solution and the volume of solvent with which it is co-mingled uniformly and completely aswell as quickly, immediately before use.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which .fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim: v

An apparatus for preparing aqueous salt solutions comprising a tank, hopper means extending downwardly into said tank for feeding salt to a bed thereinfand determining the height of said bed, means above the bottom of said tank for supporting a bed of salt thereon, 'a water inlet conduit, a branch conduit from said vinlet conduit leading into the bottom of the tank and arranged therein with openings to give an uniform upflow of water over substantially the cross-,sectional area of the bed, a second branch conduit eX- tending into said tank above the outletv of the hopper having a plurality ofY openings to distribute Water into the tank above the bed, an outlet conduit above the bottom opening of the hopper for determining the upper level of solution, and a common valve between said water linlet and said branch conduits constructed to regulate and adjust the relative flow through said branches to a desired concentration of solution for flow through said outlet, f u

EDWARDv SWARTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are' of record in the le of this patent:

1 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Y 2,412,106 Swartz Dec. 3, 1946 

